Episode Details

Episode# 98: Marcus Riley & Stuart Kaplan on Why Aging Is the Advantage You're Not Using

Retirement was designed in 1935 for people who lived to sixty-three years old. So why are we still using that metric as life's finish line? In this episode, Dr. Cindy sits down with Marcus Riley and Stuart Kaplan—co-authors of Your Aging Advantage—to reframe aging as a series of self-determined stages, not a countdown. They explore The Flicker Phase, Aging on Pace, and why it's never too early—or too late—to plan.

In this episode, we cover:

• (5:00) Let’s change our outlook from anti-aging to better aging. 
• (8:00) Talking more about the Global Aging Network. 
• (11:00) Does aging scare us because we know death is near?
• (14:00) “I’m older” doesn’t mean that you are stuck. 
• (19:00) We retire from a job, we don’t retire from life. 
• (25:00) The best place to live, according to Marcus. 
• (28:00) Why being cared for at home is the holy grail of true health care. 
• (41:00) Rapid-fire questions

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About Marcus Riley

Marcus Riley is the Founder of the Booming Ageing Agency and a global leader in positive aging, longevity, and the aging economy. With over 25 years of experience across health, ageing services, and public policy, he has worked with governments, organizations, and international bodies– including the United Nations–to shape the future of aging. Marcus is the co-author of the upcoming book Your Aging Advantage: The 7 New Stages of Aging (Morgan James; Apr 2026) and host of the Booming Podcast, where he explores how later life can be a time of growth, purpose, and opportunity.

About Stuart Kaplan

Stuart Kaplan is CEO of Selfhelp Community Services, one of New York’s leading organizations serving older adults. A recognized voice in aging and housing, he specializes in housing-with-services models that support independence and dignity for more than 25,000 seniors each year. With a background spanning healthcare, human services, and public policy, Stuart is an active leader in shaping the future of aging services at both the state and national levels. Stuart is the co-author of the upcoming book Your Aging Advantage: The 7 New Stages of Aging (Morgan James; Apr 2026) 

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